Archives: Gift Guides

We’re all about simplifying beauty routines, especially if it means you can get all of your basic products from the same place. This Jones Road kit includes some of the brand’s bestsellers, with mascara, blush, brightening eye pencil, and spot concealing pencil included one beautiful package. You can pick and choose your favorite shades for each product, making your morning routine easier than ever.

We’ve all caught ourselves doing the discomfort dance after a couple of hours in the car. It starts when your lower back begins to ache, and then you wriggle around trying to find a position where the dull pain doesn’t distract you from the road.  Instead of living with a sore back, try using a spine-aligning car cushion to make driving more enjoyable. Reviewers say they’ve survived 10-hour long roadtrips without pain thanks to this cushion, while others claim they can’t live without it for even the shortest of commutes.

For those who tend to forget to apply SPF after moisturizer, it may be best to kill two birds with one very luxurious stone. Not only will this dual lotion protect your skin from UV rays and hydrate your skin, but this formula also contains Linseed extract to help plump and firm skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines.

Are you guilty of sticking your arm into the bottomless pit of your purse, constantly misplacing the odds and ends you’ve stored in there? Yeah, us too. Instead of opting for a Mary Poppins-esque bag, upgrade to something a bit easier to handle. The separate compartments in this leather tote will keep your essentials organized, and it’s big enough to hold a book or water bottle without weighing a ton on your shoulder.

Treating yourself to a manicure at a salon is amazing if you get the chance, but you can also gift yourself a similar experience at home. Elevate your mani-pedi routine at home with Chanel’s long-lasting nail polish in your favorite color (but between you and us, Katie is obsessed with taupe pedicures). The polish itself is glossy and beautiful, but it’s also full of nail-loving ingredients like ceramides that help improve nail health with regular use.

The best gift for any mom is one that helps them (or you!) practice self-care. This bundle from Kindra includes both a soothing bath soak and their cult-favorite daily vaginal lotion to dramatically improve dryness down there. Just draw yourself a hot bath and add the soak for a spa-like experience at home, where the gentle yet effective peptide-packed formula provides comfort to sensitive skin, especially for those going through menopause. After your bath, apply the fragrance-free vaginal lotion to support skin-moisture in as little as two uses. 

Summer is so close we can almost taste it — in fact, we can smell the salty sea air and feel a gentle breeze through our hair, too. Complete your beachside fantasy by adding a gauzy linen dress to your summer wardrobe. This one can be worn as a coverup over a swimsuit, layered under a jacket on chilly evenings, or paired with sneakers and a sun hat for a casual look.

Reusable storage bags may seem like an odd Mother’s Day gift for yourself, but the truth is, they can make your life easier, especially if you have kids roaming your kitchen (even if said kids are grown adults now). Silicone bags aren’t only great for food storage, but they’re safe to use in the microwave, to place in a pot to boil on the stovetop, use in the oven, or pop in the freezer with leftovers. When they’re due for a wash, they’re dishwasher safe, too.

Skincare is worth the investment, especially when the products you’re buying can help heal and moisturize at the same time. This duo from Augustinus Bader contains the brand’s famous Rich Cream and lighter weight Cream, both of which will give your skin a much-needed dose of moisture. Over time, you’ll notice plumper, firmer skin, too.

Sometimes, zoning everyone out of your hearing field is a best gift. For those who want to block everyone out for a bit, gift a pair of Apple’s noise-cancelling AirPods. Whether they want tot tune in to their favorite podcast or dance to their favorite Stevie Nicks song, these earbuds will take them where they want to go.

If you’re like us, you probably cherish any and all alone time. Wind down and relax with this multi-speed vibrating wand whenever you want. It may look intimidating, but it’s surprisingly lightweight and easy to maneuver with one hand. Vibration patterns range from a low rumble to intense buzzing, so you can use this solo or with a partner to find out exactly what get your toes curling.

Self care is hard, and sometimes you need to be reminded to take a deep breath or spend time stretching. Similar to other fitness trackers, this bracelet can track vitals like your heart rate and sleep patterns, but it will also help you track your cycle, remind you to take breaks throughout the day, and keep track of your steps and activity levels so you can help reach your fitness goals, all stored in the Bellabeat app . The bracelet doesn’t have a screen on it though, so it resemebles everyday jewelry and won’t be distracting throughout the day.

Nothing is sweeter than fitting in a quick nap during the day when you really need it. Adding a weighted blanket to your power nap routine won’t only help you drift off more quickly because it helps calm your nervous system, but it also feels like getting a hug from a loved one while you take a snooze.

For the days when you can’t escape carrying your laptop, lunch, makeup bag, and emergency snacks, you need a bag that works for you — and this one won’t quit in terms of convenience. It can be worn as a tote or a backpack, has a slip pocket for your laptop, a trolley sleeve so you can slip it over your luggage handle, a removable pouch that can be used as a clutch, and plenty of pockets to keep you organized. Reviewers say it makes for the perfect personal item on flights, while the removable purse is removable is game changing for quick grocery runs.

Forget cucumbers, these eye patches are a much better way to relax and moisturize your under eyes. If you suffer from dark circles (who doesn’t?), these gels are packed with skin-brightening vitamin C and green tea extract to help lighten darkness under eyes and reduce puffiness. Bonus: Stick these in the fridge before using them for a cooling, de-puffing effect, too.

Claw clips are great, but they tend to break with regular use. Swap bulky plastic for sleek metal with this French hair pin. It’s just as easy to use for hair types, and you can use it to pull your hair out of your face into a bun or twist in a matter of seconds, all while achieving and effortlessly chic hairstyle.

It may be called the nap dress, but you’ll want to wear this one out of the house all summer long. Even though it’s made from soft and breezy cotton, this dress holds an amazing shape thanks to its comfortable yet flattering shirred bodice and ruffled A-line skirt.

Deep pressure therapy has been proven to help people relax, and that includes using the technique on your eyes. If you suffer from headaches or tired eyes after a long day, you can either heat this eye mask in the microwave or chill it in the fridge for a bit before putting it on to find relief from any discomfort.

If you’re comfort zone has yet to take you beyond skinny pants, consider this hybrid pair before diving deep into wide-legged territory. Part-legging, part-trouser, these stretchy pants will take you seamlessly from errands to drinks. Style it with an oversized button-down for an office-worthy outfit, or pair it with a T-shirt and jean jacket for something more casual.

When it comes to bags, bigger isn’t always better. This slim superhero comes with a removable zipper wallet and a removable strap, so you can wear it crossbody or as a clutch. The interior isn’t super roomy, but it’s large enough to hold your phone and a few cards, which is all you really need anyway.

It’s official: Ballet flats are in again, and our feet are thanking us for it. Instead of teetering on wedges or heels, give yourself the gift of walking on solid ground in a timeless pair of leather flats. This pair from Børn is unfussy in its appearance, comes in multiple colors, and has a cushy footbed that supports you with each step. Reviewers call this one of the most comfortable shoes they’ve ever owned, and that’s enough to convince us to join in on the trend.

It sounds cliche, but sometimes all it takes to boost your confidence is a swath of red lipstick. Studies have shown that the color is universally appealing, and it’s been a sign of implied poise for decades. Think of celebrities like Taylor Swift and AOC who often don the bright shade — don’t they just look fierce with the bold lip? This lipstick from Cheekbone is made with a vegan formula that applies smoothly and dries to a velvety texture that doesn’t feel tight on your lips, with coverage that can be built up to your preferred opaqueness.

Please, please stop throwing your necklaces and earrings haphazardly into your suitcase or makeup bag when you travel. This leather case is a major upgrade from a plastic sandwich bag, and it will keep your chains and earrings from becoming a tangled mess. Neat hooks hold necklaces in place and keep them knot-free, while two straps are the perfect place to store stud earrings, hoops, and rings.

A pair of new joggers isn’t only an excuse to lounge in style, but it’s a valid reason to start prioritizing comfort in your life. This sleek pair from Vuori is made from an incredibly soft recycled fabric blend, has an adjustable waist, and comes in 15 different colors and patterns.

If you’re like us, you probably have a plethora of reusable totes at home. Pare down your collection and replace it with a tote like this that can do it all. It’s made from a sustainable textile made of wood pulp and upcycled cotton, and it will actually stand up on its own so loading up your groceries at the store is a breeze. When not in use, you can fold it flat like a regular tote and be on your merry way. 

For those who want to upgrade their leggings for a more elevated aesthetic, look no further. These luxuriously soft lounge pants are made from bamboo, which is breathable and smooth to the touch. A wide waistband and pleated legs give them a tailored look, even though they feel like pajama pants.